Benefits Of Traditional Healthcare Delivery Options

The purpose of this paper is to discuss how technology has impacted the health care delivery system. Health care technology is advancing at an increasingly rapid rate in the United States, and globally. Patients and providers are witnessing these changes through the use of telehealth, and telemedicine applications. Telehealth, and telemedicine are often used interchangeably, however there is a difference between the two applications. Telehealth is the use of technology to deliver health care, health information, or health education at a distance (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.).

The fact that there are broad spectrums of services available within the Kaiser Permanente network makes it easier to coordinate patient care. For example the Northern California site has implemented programs that focus on five “imperatives of personal care”, which are: patients have to have a primary care doctor, they need to be able to see that physician, patients that call have a short telephone wait, patients should receive timely appointments and have a great care experience (Commonwealth fund June 2009). Care management definitely plays a crucial role in health care. When the patients needs are met and quality care is received the result is patient satisfaction and potentially cost saving for the organization. Patients not only have to deal with health issues, many experience challenges within their environment and certain limitations depending on socioeconomic status. Therefore , coordination of patient care is key to the success of any health care delivery system.

The benefits of telehealth consultations are immeasurable; clients are able to access a knowledgeable health care professional and receive a telephone triage/assessment and recommendations. This allows the patient to have immediate access to good health advice and quicker solutions. Telemedicine is one of the many vehicles of telehealth; for example, the cardiologist orders an outpatient Holter Monitor trial to evaluate arrhythmias. The technician calls the patient at the sign of any abnormal rhythm and investigate the activity performed when the reading fluctuation then the reported is communicated to the cardiologist. If warranted, the cardiology staff will contact the patient with instructions schedule an immediate appointment. Telehealth services resources would benefit the client in this next example, an individual’s come in for a sick visit expecting a prescription to be written for their illness; they receive informative instructions because of the nature of the

By the end of 2007, the company’s offerings included the following: Horizon Ambulatory Care, an electronic medical record system for automating the clinical functions of a group practice; Horizon Expert Prescribing, a CPOE application; a practice analysis and reporting tool; a Home Care supply management system; and Practice plus, a communication tool designed to connect patients with their physician’s offices.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) strives to improve the quality of the lives of Americans. The most current healthcare policy that endorses the ACA, is the ObamaCare initiative that has received a fair share of both support and criticism. (Hwang, et al. 2013) talks about the “Effects of the integrated delivery system on cost and quality”. According to the authors, most people criticize the American healthcare system because of its complexity, high cost and excessive fragmentation. The same scholars confirm however that the fragmentation and the provision of various services, benefit different people that require healthcare attention. The article focuses on several advantages of the integrated healthcare delivery systems (IDSs) in the United States. Furthermore, the scholars identify existing gaps, which include the various arguments of current health policy experts that have endeavored to discuss health policy issues in America. Americans can also access health care services through virtual technologies, which allow them to have different electronic health record databases. (Hwang, et al. 2013) uses relevant materials from peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed articles to describe the fluctuating nature of healthcare service delivery in America. Conclusively, the authors agree that the virtual systems create room for accountability, academic research in healthcare and efficient service delivery.

Using the Change Framework outlined in (Herold & Fedor , 2008) to analyze the initiative helps clarify many of the issues and challenges faced. One of the first aspects to consider is what actually needed changing regarding healthcare delivery and what tactics were utilized. The broader change hoping to be realized was a simple way for Americans view various healthcare options and select and pay for their coverage online. While Americans had been able to do this over

Telehealth has been a large topic of debate in recent years because of the economic, political, and regulatory points of view. In deciding outcomes in these areas, it is the responsibility of all healthcare professions to identify information gaps in order to come to the more rational and beneficial conclusion about telehealth (Grace, 2014). Economically, there are concerns regarding the access and affordability of telehealth equipment. At the same time, telehealth is being adapted in ways to be utilized with technological devices that many individuals already have access to like telephones, cellular phones, and personal computers/laptops. Telehealth can positively impact both clients and providers by increasing access to care and reducing the time and costs associated with traveling for health care (Allen, Aylott, Loyola, Moric, & Saffarek, 2015). As telehealth develops technological devices can be made more affordable and can be covered by insurance policies (Thomas et al., 2014). Many nurses functioning as case managers can help provide the tools and resources individuals require to manage their health.

Bohmer, R., & Knoop, C. I. (2007). The challenges facing the U.S. healthcare delivery system. Harvard Business School, Article 9-606-096.

One element of an external environmental assessment is the complicated, dynamic process of a competitor analysis. The new paradigm of healthcare delivery makes it necessary for organizations to think about their competitive edge, something that healthcare administrators did not have to think about in the past. Ginter, Duncan, and Swayne (2013) identify the essential elements of a service area competitor analysis: establishing the categories of service; determine the service area, the geographical boundaries; and identification and analysis of weaknesses and strengths of those vying for the same market share (p. 78). Today’s healthcare leaders need to think beyond the facilities that are most close, owing to the fact that consumers of care are willing to move past their neighborhoods to centers of excellence that deliver the highest quality care. Leaders also need to consider service providers that are dissimilar in structure. These ventures are new to the healthcare market, offering one profitable, specialized service. Market niches should not be overlooked or underestimated because they are likely contenders (Ginter et al. p. 80). This paper offers a competitive analysis for detoxification, the first level of treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). There is a discussion of the service category and service area of one treatment offered in a freestanding psychiatric facility in metro Boston, Massachusetts, and ends with a discussion on how the

The U.S. Healthcare System continues to evolve and develop delivery strategies of affordable high-quality health services to all individuals. Striving to make available superior advances in U.S. health, healthcare providers delivery options, solutions and/or treatments for the American populace.

The United States healthcare delivery system is a uniquely developed system that involves various features, components, and services. The US delivery system is massive, with total employment in various healthcare settings of qualified medical professionals that provide key functions to delivering quality healthcare. This essay will discuss the characteristics if the United States healthcare delivery system and how it could be developed from a free market perspective.

The health care delivery system of the united states has undergone major changes in both social and technological perspectives. Following are the two different perspectives regarding U.S healthcare delivery system;

Presently in the United States there are several different health care plans and the decision to accept Managed Health care plans become difficult. Managed care is the most utilized form of health insurance in the United States for it provides cost that is efficient versus paying for services rendered in one lump sum. However like everything in life, there are pros and cons to consider when it comes to managed care versus traditional insurance.

There is an increasing need within the U.S. for quality health care to be provided to individuals who have limited access whether it is due to a rural environment, disabilities, or in the field of battle. Telemedicine is literally medicine provided at a distance. Telehealth is able to alleviate some of the effects of a growing shortage of professionals such as primary care physicians. In this type of health care delivery, the dynamics between the patient and the entire health care system changes. Telemedicine meets the increasing demands of patients to have greater access, or responsiveness, from a health care provider. It also meets the needs of the provider who is very interested in time-saving, safety-enhancing assistance in their daily practice. Employers and health plans are also very interested in telemedicine as a means of improving compliance with treatment plans and care management initiatives (Hodgkins, 2008). The use of email also allows the patient to have increased access to their health care providers. Instead of calling their health care provider’s office, patients are now able to email their non-emergent health care questions to their provider. Conversely, health care providers are able to email patients reminders for appointments or wellness tips.

ONLINE CARE AND ITS POTENTIAL  Communication : The Interaction between the Doctor and Patient can be immensely improved , where the patient can provide their feedback , acknowledgment and condition via email instead of scheduling new appointment  Choice of Doctors: The Patients can choose which doctors want to be seen there by giving them an option to pick doctors of their choice based on their experience and reviews  Second Opinion: The patient can take an immediate second opinion if in case of doubt. There by eliminating ones cynicism about their illness  Social Stigma: The concept of Social stigma is completely removed as customer can have privacy as he can book the appointment meet the doctor from